Edinburgh evicted from Murrayfield

Edinburgh Rugby have been ordered to leave Murrayfield and repay £1.4million in advance funding to the Scottish Rugby Union by the end of business on Friday.

The SRU announced on Thursday morning that Edinburgh, one of two remaining professional clubs in Scotland, had terminated their operating agreement with the national body.

Future funding to Edinburgh has been withdrawn, and the club owned by Bob Carruthers have been told they can neither play or train at Murrayfield and must vacate the stadium.

A statement from the SRU said: "Scottish Rugby have confirmed that the operating agreement between Edinburgh Rugby and Scottish Rugby has been terminated by Edinburgh Rugby.

"Consequently Edinburgh Rugby no longer have any rights to play or train at Murrayfield and Scottish Rugby have asked when they plan to vacate the stadium."

Edinburgh have threatened to take court action in their row with the SRU over Magners League and Heineken Cup fees. Edinburgh claim they are owed a substantial six-figure sum, which the SRU dispute.

The row led Edinburgh to withdraw 12 players from Scotland training for a week last month, heightening the tensions between the two parties.

The SRU stated: "Scottish Rugby now require immediate repayment of a proportion of the funding the governing body have advanced Edinburgh Rugby since July 2006.

"The deadline for this repayment, which amounts to almost £1.4million, is close of business on Friday, August 3 2007."